Resolutely and persistently prevent illegal proselytizing - Part II: Grasp information firmly, react promptly
PV Group•DNUM_DBZBAZCACE 15:02
Life in the renovation period was full of excitement in economic, cultural and social exchanges. Along with that, many strangers came to villages and hamlets with the purpose of illegally proselytizing, enticing some families to follow strange religions with the promise of a better and happier life.
Lesson II:
STAY INFORMED, RESPOND PROMPTLY
PV Group• October 31, 2024
Life in the renovation period was full of excitement in economic, cultural and social exchanges. Along with that, many strangers came to villages and hamlets with the purpose of illegally proselytizing, enticing some families to follow strange religions with the promise of a better and happier life.
PROMISES FROM “STRANGE RELIGION”
For Catholicism and Buddhism, the two major religions in Nghe An, there are many places of worship such as pagodas and churches, so the preaching of religion is basically carried out at the above locations, in compliance with the provisions of the law. In addition, in some areas, especially in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, there are still cases of religious activities being organized in violation of the law, potentially complicating security and order.
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Through the grasp of the authorities and information provided by the people, it shows that illegal preachers have distributed documents and related items; enticed and enticed people to join the "strange religion" with the promise: "Following the religion will have a better life", be freed from suffering, illness... In Nghe An, this field has some identifications as follows:
Regarding Protestantism (there are about 437 believers, followers of 09 different sects, but there is no place of practice and no group has been granted a certificate of registration for centralized religious activities); "Church of God the Mother" (not recognized by our State as a type of religion), there are about 300 participants.The missionaries often talk about the good and virtuous qualities in the Bible... and care for new "believers" more closely than family members, as a solid spiritual support for the participants. They claim that when joining the organization, they will be protected, blessed, and freed from suffering and illness by "God the Mother".
In 2021, Anh Son District Police discovered and handled many cases of illegal participation in the activities of the Mother of God Church in the area. Photo: Document
The Protestant missionaries, the “Church of God the Mother,” also promise to guarantee that their followers will have a better life. They believe that those who join the religion will be protected by God for life, will not die, and will not be affected by world events, or the “end of the world.”
“The Church of God the Mother” also believes that those who follow it will be with God forever, in “Heaven” - where there is only happiness, no more suffering; no more sickness, God will heal everything, including dangerous epidemics like Covid-19 and other serious diseases...
Regarding “Falun Gong” (not yet recognized by our State as a form of religion), there are about 31 locations in 18/21 districts, cities, and towns with 640 people practicing. The subjects take advantage of the religious needs of gullible, gullible, and ignorant people to use the cultivation theory of “Truthfulness - Compassion - Forbearance” and claim that practicing health-preserving exercises is good for health and eliminates diseases to entice people to believe.
A group of people practicing Falun Gong under the guise of health exercises in Vinh City. Photo: Nguyen Nguyen
Some subjects also lead and promise to cure people without charging any fees. They especially take advantage of the elderly and middle-aged people with health problems to influence them to participate in health training and cure diseases in the form of 5 exercises.(Buddha manifests the heavenly hand method; Dharma wheel adornment method; Six Dharma channels through the gate; Dharma wheel orbits the heavens method; Penetrating the family and judiciary method).
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At the same time, the subjects instruct followers to read sutras, meditate to cure diseases, without taking medicine. They also attract people by giving documents, lotus key chains... to people in some areas. The subjects thoroughly take advantage of personal websites (Facebook, TikTok, YouTube...) to show off many good contents of life for people, thereby attracting gullible people to participate...
About “Wonderful Sound Dharma Door” (about 31 participants).These subjects spread many unscientific, “supernatural” contents, such as meditating to feel the light and listen to the sound in the body to communicate with God, to cultivate wisdom and escape the suffering of living beings; just practice at home to become a Buddha…
Regarding “Vietnamese Bronze Drum Original Energy” (about 200 participants)… The subjects also believe that following the religion can cure serious illnesses. Currently, the authorities in Nghe An have persuaded 65 cases to abandon following Original Energy.
Regarding “Spirituality related to President Ho Chi Minh” (about 95 participants). This group takes advantage of people’s belief and respect for President Ho Chi Minh to propagate many superstitious and unscientific medical practices.
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More dangerously, since 2012, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has continuously requested the US State Department to put Vietnam on the "Special Watch List" for religious freedom. This accusation is based on inaccurate information and an unbiased assessment of the religious freedom situation in Vietnam. The organization's 2024 report continues to deliberately make inaccurate assessments of the religious freedom situation in Vietnam.
It must be affirmed that the US policy is to use issues of democracy, human rights, ethnicity, and religion in the strategy of "peaceful evolution" to interfere in our country's internal affairs. Therefore, the illegal proselytizing activities that are being fought against by all levels of government and the people of our country make the subjects even more "angry" and seek different ways to approach gullible people who follow strange religions and lead them to cause religious and ethnic conflicts, affecting social security and order.
STICK TO THE AREA, PREVENT IN TIME
Illegal proselytizing activities may be difficult to detect at first, because the subjects gather in small groups and take advantage of the issue of visiting relatives or performing fortune-telling, etc. But certainly after a short time, if any household has a new follower of the religion, there will be unusual signs. To grasp this situation, it is necessary to promote the high vigilance of local people; at the same time, the functional forces must strengthen their work of monitoring the area.
At the grassroots level, along with the eyes and ears of the people, the strengthened regular communal police force will be a solid support for cadres and party members to stand side by side with the majority of people to grasp the situation and have appropriate solutions if illegal religious activities or preaching are discovered. When there is information about illegal preachers in the area, the authorities and functional forces need to quickly verify the incident.
Party committees, block, hamlet, village and commune management boards and sectors at all levels in Nghe An regularly visit and encourage people in difficult circumstances. Photo: Nguyen Nguyen
The handling process needs to be flexible but show determination, clearly citing the provisions of the law to deter illegal proselytizing subjects. If the beginnings of illegal proselytizing activities are detected early, measures need to be taken to mobilize and minimize unfortunate collisions and conflicts.
For mountainous and highland districts, in addition to cadres, party members, social organizations, and regular commune police, there is also the reinforcement of border guards. On that basis, functional forces proactively coordinate with authorities at all levels and relevant departments and branches to grasp the changes of illegal proselytizing subjects.
At the same time, promote oral propaganda, widely disseminate on mass media and social networks about the nature and methods of illegal activities of various types of religions. In that process, clearly analyze the plots of activities that take advantage of religion to commit illegal acts of the subjects so that the people can prevent and stop the subjects from successfully carrying out their intentions of illegally proselytizing, causing insecurity and social disorder.
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